Lauderdale-By-The-Sea prides itself on being a charming beach town that doesn’t fall into trends or the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The town is tucked just north of Fort Lauderdale, and this rustic community, where everyone knows everyone.
Known as 'Florida's Beach Diving Capital,' Lauderdale-By-The-Sea boasts multiple shipwrecks and scuba sites right at its doorstep. This includes Mark’s Ledge, Anglin Pier Reef, and Hall of Fame, where divers and snorkelers can enjoy one of the highest concentrations of aquatic wildlife in the area.
If you’re in town during the summer, stay tuned for BugFest-By-The-Sea, a growing event to celebrate the 48-hour mini-lobster season with diving competitions, live music, seminars, cookoffs, and other outdoor fun.
When you’re back on shore, be sure to stop by the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea beach pavilion at Anglin’s Square. This colorful community gathering spot has plenty of benches, Adirondack chairs, beach umbrellas, and games for the whole family to enjoy. The pavilion, and nearby El Prado Park host community events throughout the year, including Dancing By the Sea, Yoga-By-The-Sea, Farmer’s Market, Friday Night Music, and special holiday events. In 2024, the town is also celebrating its 75th anniversary with much ado.
The newly renovated downtown area is an easily walkable strip filled with restaurants, boutiques, and more, just a few sandy steps away from the beach. One of the anchors of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea’s dining scene is Aruba Beach Cafe, a Floribbean restaurant with island favorites as well as their famous Bimini bread smothered with an Aruba glaze. The proprietors also bring in live music, serving an incredible backdrop for oceanside dining. Another popular beachfront restaurant is Mulligan’s, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day with daily happy hour deals from 3 to 7 p.m. This Lauderdale-By-The-Sea-born restaurant has since expanded to four more restaurants up the east coast of Florida.
If it’s a Tuesday (or any day, really), Tacocraft can curb your appetite for tacos and margaritas. For those days you want to up the ante for date night, consider indulging in a delicious Italian dish at Vinnie’s. No matter where you decide to have dine, end your night with a sweet treat over at Sloan’s. Another way to cool off from a day in the sun is an açaí bowl, smoothie, or fresh-pressed juice from Playa Bowls.
If you’re looking to extend your stay, the Plunge Beach Resort is a highly recommended beachfront accommodation. Here, guests can stay at the resort towers or the adults-only bungalows. For those seeking family-friendly dining, the Backflip Beach Bar offers a range of casual beach-day dishes. Alternatively, you can relish a delicious dinner at Octopus and keep an eye on their upcoming pop-up dinner events. You don’t have to be a guest here, though, to enjoy all the water activities and sunbathing on the sandy shores of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
Want to take a piece of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea home with you? Pop into Coast Boutique in the town’s downtown area, where the proprietor has curated a collection of beachy and Florida homewares, jewelry, clothing, photography, bath and body items, artwork, and merchandise with the town’s name on it.
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea has gained a reputation over the years for being the charming beach town seemingly only found in one’s imagination. With its bustling dining scene, oceanfront activities, and small businesses, there’s definitely something for everyone under the sun.